Hey Fellow Rock Stars in the trenches! It is time for our second Rock Star Single Mom Success Story of the week- Cathy Francois. This young lady has hugely impressed me and we’ve only known each other a few months. Let me introduce you to Cathy Francois, MBA. Cathy and I first met back in June when I was doing social media for the Blogging While Brown Conference created and hosted by Gina McCauly. The conference was amazing! It is an excellent place to meet other bloggers of color, learn, grow, and enjoy a new city in the process. I met some amazing people there and some have become a part of my tribe. Cathy is one of those people.
Let me tell you, the first day I met her she was fashionably late to a cocktail hour (her flight was delayed but I like to tease her) and the way she was dressed caused the entire room to gasp. Honey, she was put together! And to add to it, her sweet personality, desire to help others, and overall “go-getitness” wasn’t bad either. She was a sweet down-to-Earth sister who knows the value of relationships and serving. I am still talking about her dress and shoes, but that will be for another time. Read on as I highlight another single mom, like me and you, who has decided to chase her dreams, make a difference, AND raise great kiddos in spite of what life tried to hand to her!
Cathy Francois: The Back Story
Me: So Cathy Francois, you are our featured mom of the week because you are a Rock Star in your own right. Tell us a little bit about who you are, where you’re from, and what you do.
Cathy: Hi! Thanks for having me Kaywanda. I am a sole parent of 2 beautiful children. I have a 10-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter. I am originally from Miami, FL, and I relocated to the DC Metro area 3 years ago. Currently, I have an independent practice, Rezume Forward (pronounced re-ZOOM), where I provide career coaching and resume writing for my clients. In addition to this, I am a Career Advising Specialist at the University of Maryland University College.
Me: Oh! That’s interesting. Go you! I like that. So, you help men and women from different levels and fields find work, show them the correct path to follow for job attainment, and how to know their worth and ask for it as they move forward in their careers? Awesome. Tell me. Did you find it challenging to reach your goals and raise your family alone? How did you overcome? Someone needs to hear what you have to say.
The Value of a True Support System
Cathy: Although I carry the majority of the responsibility for raising my children, I am certainly not alone. My family has been there from day one to help support me in a number of ways. My parents, siblings, and close friends in particular are part of my support system. Whether you have children in a traditional or non-traditional family it’s important to involve your village in the life of your children. It makes the complexities of parenthood much more manageable. When I was a new mom, I felt like it would be nearly impossible to reach my goals, but I found that you just have to work harder and be creative. You have to change your mindset. Although as a parent you now have to factor your children into the decisions you make, they shouldn’t be used as an excuse for you not move forward with your goals, but a motivating factor to push you towards excellence.
Me: Okay! Preach! I like that. Wow! That’s good. Cathy, to whom or what do you attribute your success as a single mom?
Cathy: My faith in God plays a huge role in my success. I feel like I can do anything with Him by my side. Secondly, my mom who has been in my corner since my first pregnancy and reminded me that I could still achieve success even as a single parent.
Me: Amen for good mamas! That’s amazing. It makes all the difference to have support. Do you have any special quotes, mantras to live by, or a saying that you use to keep you motivated to tackle your goals and chase your dreams?
Cathy: Your attitude greatly impacts your quality of life. Choose wisely.
How Cathy Francois Overcame aka The Part You Came For
Me: Hmm. You are dropping so many nuggets today. That’s good. What would you say to a single mom reading this article who thinks she can’t overcome where she is or do what you’ve done?
Cathy: It’s not easy, but you don’t have to live by the single mom struggle stigma. Just 7 years ago I was living in a run down 1 bedroom apartment with 2 kids, living on a budget with no room for error, and working a job I hated. As a single parent, I went on to earn an MBA and relocated away from most of my family and friends in hopes of achieving more for myself. If I focused on where I was in that moment and did not work on making decisions to improve my future, I would still be in the same place. Don’t waste time focusing on past regrets, be positive, and shift your focus to making small steps toward success daily.
Me: Pauses. Cathy, you can’t say stuff like that and expect me not to shout with joy. Okay, Wow! I didn’t know that about you, but I know so many women can identify. Awesome that your desire for better outweighed where you were! Look at you now! What are you working on now in your business? What’s up next for you?
Cathy: I’m serious. I made it. Other moms can make it, too. Well, I just redesigned my website and look forward to relaunching my blog in 2016. When women visit, they will find career information and inspiration to help them move forward. I have several levels to work with me. I offer several services and have had many customers give me awesome praise. I look forward to helping more women and men succeed, get the careers they want, and the money they deserve in 2016.
Me: Cathy it has been my pleasure to interview you. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Good luck on everything you’re doing and launching. I know it will be a success!
Cathy: My pleasure. Thank you again and as you say, Do It Anyway! sister!
Okay, was that not the bomb diggity? I did not know all of Cathy’s back story. Wow! See, the way she carries herself is not like a mom who lived in those conditions. And that speaks volumes about her. I say this all the time (and I got this from Jeffrey Johnson a pastor from Indiana) “Your right now is not your always.” Cathy did not let her right now stop her from going to get her dreams. And based on this interview and what I see, the sister is going to get more! Smiles.
I pray you are encouraged by these everyday single moms doing extraordinary things like starting companies, raising kids alone and going to school, chasing dreams in the face of adversity, and so on. You know what? That simply means you can do it, too!
Whatever you do, don’t give it. As Cathy Francois said earlier, “When I was a new mom, I felt like it would be nearly impossible to reach my goals, but I found that you just have to work harder and be creative. You have to change your mindset.”
Tell me, are you willing to do the work to have what you say you want? To be a success requires diligence, perspiration, dedication, and sometimes sheer crazy faith. Are you willing? Oh yeah you are! Go on sis!
Do It Anyway!
Want more? Inspired? Read about our other single mom of the week!
And remember to check back weekly because I’ll be showcasing women just like you every week. Are you ready to share your awesome with the world? Want to be the next single mom success story of the week? Email me at [email protected] It’s your time. Some sister needs to know she can do it, too!
Cathy Francois, MBA is the founder and Career Exploration Officer of Rezume Forward, a virtual boutique career consulting practice based in the Greater Washington DC Metropolitan area serving clients nationwide. Cathy is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator with a personalized approach to career coaching and a creative approach to producing resumes and LinkedIn profiles that bring her clients’ unique career story to life. To schedule a complimentary consultation and to learn more visit http://www.rezumeforward.com
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